How to get admitted by Mayo Clinic without delay?

Hello @sma5802 and welcome to the Pancreatic Cancer support group on Mayo Connect. I can certainly understand that you would like to be seen at Mayo Clinic as soon as possible. Here is a link to appointment information. http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63. Here you will see phone numbers for The Central Appointment Office at each of the three Mayo Clinic locations.

They should be able to answer your questions about existing medical records, etc.

@sma5802 , very sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

Are you able to obtain the most relevant records yourself, and hand-deliver them, FedEx them, or download them from your current doctors' patient portal and email them directly to Mayo?

Mayo shouldn't need to get your entire life's history in order to start; mainly just the ERCP report plus recent blood tests and imaging discs since you became symptomatic.

Some insurance companies and concierge medical service memberships (MDVIP, SignatureMD, etc) have expedited referral pathways to specialists like Mayo, and expedited collection of records. That may be another option to explore.

I don't know what stage you were diagnosed at or if your local docs have recommended chemo as a first treatment, but that would be a very common plan. If that is the case, I assume there would be no harm in getting a chemo port placed locally to have that out of the way (NOTE: I am not a medical professional and say that with zero expertise other than my own experience with PDAC.).

I was extremely frustrated trying to get my dad into Mayo for treatment with his cancer. The local docs and labs diagnosing him knew he had malignant cells in tissue and fluid samples but kept bungling the tests, unsure whether it was mesothelioma or a lung cancer. We hoped we could just get into Mayo ASAP and have them sort it out, but they're so specialized no doc there would see him until the local docs pinned it down exactly.

Since they've narrowed your case down to the pancreas, I doubt it matters as much, but Mayo might want to assign you a different oncologist based on exactly what type of pancreatic cancer it is (PDAC, Acinar Cell Carcinoma, etc).

Cleveland Clinic is also listed by the NPF as a pancreatic cancer center of excellence. I've not been treated by them, but did have one consultation with them earlier in my journey, and was fairly impressed they could have done a good job. I'm not sure if that's a viable option for you. Depending on the stage and treatment you need, a good center closer to home might be appropriate. A lot depends on how often you would have to travel to Minnesota (or Florida or Arizona) and how feasible that is. Some doctor visits that could easily be done by video teleconference are not "legal" when done across state lines -- a very unnecessary complication, but a real issue to consider.

I wish you the best with everything!

@ markymarkfl, thank you so much for taking your time to respond, you have been extremely helpful with all the information you provided. I will give Cleveland clinic a try since it is closer to home.

Thanks again!

Just lost everything I typed, but a short recollection: Cleveland Clinic has a "VSO" (Virtual Second Opinion) program where they will collect the medical records for you and schedule a remote video teleconference.

I was diagnosed at Banner Hospital in Arizona but did not find out the biopsy results until I was on my way to california for Easter with my son. I called Mayo Clinic in Arizona while I was out there and by the time I got back to AZ a week later I had an appointment. All I had to tell them is that I had been diagnosed, no records were sent. They put in my port and a few later I had scans and began my first chemo. Then by the time I was flying back to Minnesota two weeks later where we live in the summer, I had an appointment for next chemo in Rochester Mayo and I finished the other 11 treatments of Folfirinox, 15 radiations, and had my Whipple done by Dr. Mark Truty. It has been 20 months since diagnosis and nearly 13 since Whipple and I have had no problems and so far, clear scans. When I called Mayo back in April 2022, they asked who I wanted for a surgeon, oncologist, and radiologist. I had no idea about the oncologists, but I was positive I wanted Dr Truty. He has an amazing record and does over 350 Whipples a year. I could tell you so much more so ask if you need other questions answered. Good luck and try to have a very Merry Christmas. I live each day as if it is my last and I refuse to die until I am dead. Then I am never disappointed. Last Christmas I had just finished treatment and had my Whipple and I was weak and healing. This Christmas I am in Lake Tahoe with my son and loving life! May God’s blessings reign down on you.

Thank you so much, @dhoinvestments. That is truly encouraging and inspirational! Best luck to you. Have a merry Christmas.

When I was told I had pancreatic cancer and needed to see a gastroenterologist, I was referred to one in Savannah, GA by 2 different doctors. Neither office knew anything about me. So I emailed Mayo in Jacksonville, FL during Memorial day weekend & got a response within 2 days! I faxed them the scan results and whatever else they requested. Got an appointment the following week for a nurse visit & then for the ECG biopsy. By the end of the month I was had "Zoom" appointments with the surgical PA and a week later with a Mayo oncologist. Saw a local oncologist 2 days later! So you can refer yourself 🙂

@sma5802, to get started to get an appointment, you or your physician can submit a referral. You will find all the information to get started on this webpage http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
You can call or submit the online form to schedule an appointment to talk with a scheduler.

Upon speaking with the scheduler, they will inform you about submitting any necessary medical records or will coordinate with the referring physician.

Have you already spoken with a scheduler?

Following a scan showing my tumor my doctor referred me to the Banner University of Arizona Cancer Center here in Tucson. I got an appointment and a biopsy, both taking a couple of weeks. Fortunately my doctor knew to contact the lab for results as Banner didn’t give them to me for another two weeks. Wednesday February 22 he received the results and called me. I called Mayo-Phoenix and was given an appointment for Friday of the same week! All it took when I called was to tell then that a biopsy confirmed that I had pancan. I was asked to have my doctor fax my records which he did.
And so began my adventure at Mayo. I love it.

My sister was seen at Cleveland Clinic for her esophageal cancer as a second opinion (went to Michigan first). She did not find it difficult to gather the records together and they facilitated. I did a self referral to Memorial Sloan Kettering. They did want to be sure I was seeing the right doctor. I researched the oncologists there to find one that fit my situation. Dr. David Kelsen has an interest in BRCA1 and other inherited forms of pancreatic cancer. I had records available to me on the patient portal from the hospital that had my xrays and reports of the ERCP and biopsy. I also had my own records. I was able to email the appropriate records to the appropriate person in the referral department to expedite getting things scheduled. They will get records but submitting myself helped move the process along.